Holy Land Tour
by
Sister Grace Vijaya Ts.
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INDEX
సాక్ష్యం 1. Foreword
2. Congratulations by Rev.Rachal J. Komanapalli
3. All about Holy Land
4. Brief history of Israel
5. Israel in the past
6. Important places of Jerusalem
7. Third Temple
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FOREWORD
M
ost people dream of visiting the Holy Land. Some one said that ten days in the Holy Land is equal to a semester in a Seminary. The most practical understanding of the Bible archaeology, history and Geography will come to every one, who can view this book actually being there. It will explain the word pictures.
It will benefit both to the traveller and the dreamer. Special thanks to the friends who offered books to select matter and pictures. Many thanks to Dr.Deva S.Dandala, Editor, Spandana who took great interest in publishing Holy Land Tour in our regional language, Telugu.
That book and the pictures attracted many to know about the tour of the Holy Land and were greatly blessed in many countries of the world. I humbly praise God for that. This experience encouraged me to write about the Holy Land tour in English. My special thanks to Acharya R.R.K. Garu & Dr.Deva
S.Dandala,and Spandana Offset Printer, David Dandala who took great care in printing this book, Brother
Ephraim Dandala and Vijay who worked with setting pictures etc., My Childhood friend Rev. Rachel
J.Komanapalli wrote a wonderful word about me and my books. My heart felt gratitude to her also.
I am sure that my husband Sri Sundara Rao Garu expressed his views about “The Legacy of
Gods people” which is his first book to exhault God’s name, and I congratulate him. My special thank to
Mr.D.S.Sundara Rao,for helping a lot to edit, correcting the matter with good suggestions. I can not forget to thanks my Ganta brothers, Brother Peter Singh for he selected pictures for Holy Land, Brother Sudhakar gave me nice suitable pictures from his vast collections. My youngest brother Babu Ganta visited us in
USA from Dubai and advised to my husband to put his thoughts in a book to reach many. May the Lord to be praised through this book so that many may come close to Jesus to spread the Gospel and meet to
Lord Jesus.
Yours in Him,
Sister Grace Vijaya
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I
ntroduction
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill, May my tongue ching to the roof of my mouth, If I do not remember you, If I do not consider
Jerusalem my highest Joy. Psalm 137:5,6
Brief History: Many prophets prophesied that Messiah, Jesus Christ would be born as King of Jews. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Christ was born to Mary in
Bethlehem. According to the above verses Jerusalem was a blessed city. It acquired such a good name and fame due to King David and his son Solomon who constructed
God’s temple for His Glory.
God loved the Jews. According to the prophecies of many prophets Messaiah would be born as King of Jews. The prophecies became true, Christ was born to virgin Mary. He preached the Gospel; did Miracles; healed the sick; died on the cross for the sins of humanity; the rose from the dead on the third day; talked to the disciples; ate with them; and was taken up to live with God as everlasting son.
According to the prophecy, Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews scattered all over the world. But they would not be perished. The Lord promised that they would be brought back. “When I bring them back from captivity, the people in the Land of
Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: “ The Lord bless you, O righteous dwelling, O sacred mountain people will live together in Judah and all its town- farmers and those who move about with their flocks. I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint”. (Jeremiah 31:23-25)
Proof of God’s Phophecy:
As Isaiah prophesied “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the West” (Isaiah 43:5). Accordingly God brought them back. Israel Nation was founded. They got independence on May 14,
1948. Israelites came to live in their country from all parts of the world. By 1963 there were 4 millions of Jews in Palestine. By 1963 they were 2,239,000. When they celebrated the 30th Anniversary in 1978 some about 3,697,887 people were present.
Today the population of Israel is increased to great number.
A BRIEF RECORD OF ISRAEL IN THE PAST
Israel is a promised country. According to Genesis 12:1-3 God called Abram from ‘Ur” and asked him to go to the land that He would show. Abram obeyed God’s
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command. God changed his name to Abraham, the Father of many nations.Abraham got his promised son Isaac who had two sons, Esau and Jacob, and when Jacob struggled with God and God changed his name as Israel. Israel had 12 sons and they were known as Isralites. Out of the 12 sons, Joseph became prominent in Egypt.
Thereby the children of Israel lived in Egypt for 400 years. God made Moses as the leader of Israelites. Israelites, though led by Moses, Joshua brought them to Canan.
God appointed many Judges to guide and rule Israel. On their request of Prayer
God made Saul as the first King of the Israelites in 1040 BC. Later, in 1010 BC David was annointed to rule Israelites.
Solomon, the son of David, built the temple of God in “Jerusalem, his capital.
The country was divided into two due to Solomon’s sin after his death, ten plus two tribes. Later the temple of Jerusalem was destroyed and Jews were captivated. After many years Ezra took the responsibility to rebuild the temple. Fourteen years later
Nehemiah rebuilt the wall with a slogan. Come, let us rebuild. 400 years passed away.
Jesus was born as the promised Messaiah, died on the cross, and sinners would be redeemed through His blood only.
A new church was born on the pentecost day when the power of the Holy spirit touched them.
To learn about Israel is a blessing to all of us.
Dr. Deva S. Dandala
Editor, Spandana
P.O.Box 415,
Vijayawada-2, A.P., INDIA
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ALL ABOUT THE HOLY LAND
T
he Holy Land is a unique and beautiful land, rich with variety of historical, archaeological and religious sites. Visitors are charmed by its sweeping vistas, hospitality of its citizens and inspirational images. This country is an enchanting mixture of ancient and modern.
In the holy land, you can experience the special thrill of walking in the foot steps of the
Bible characters. Abraham roamed these sites four thousand years ago. About three thousand years have gone by since king David reigned here but for Christians follow the steps of Jesus in the Holy land constitute its ultimate moment.
In these regions Jesus the son of God was born. Here he grew in wisdom and stature.
Here he was crucified. Here God raised him from the dead. We can see the divisions as three regions. North, center and South. In the Northern and Central regions, Jesus visited
Jerusalem, sacred city and it is the Soul of the country. Southern areas are included because of its significance to patriarchs, prophets and kings of Judah.
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This book will unlock the message
of the Bible and engage your mind and
heart in the Wonderful world in which
Jesus lived. We believe that this book is special as it describes the facts of the ministry of our Lord with the sites that recall his work & adds a rich new understanding to the meaning of the work of Jesus of Nazareth we trust it will also bring back many pleasant memories for those who visited the lands of the Bible.
This land is unlike any other. This region has been called by various names such as Canaan, Palestine and new Israel in Biblical times.
It was considered to be the center of the world and for three monotheistic religious Judaism,
Christianity and Islam.
It has been the focal point of their respective religious beliefs. Jewish people are still waiting for the messiah. For Christians, the new testment is the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the messiah that is spoken of in the Old Testament has indeed become a reality in the person of Jesus Christ. For Islam on the other hand was founded in 6 AD by the Prophet
Mohammed & both play an important role in this land. For Jews this land was predestined long ago by God. God also made them the chosen people, through Abraham and his descendants.
For Christians this land is the cradle of Christianity for it was here that Jesus was born, lived dead & resurrected.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
1.The holy land is a region situated in the Middle East on the southeast shore of the
Mediteranion.
సాక్ష్యం 2. Its position is at the cross roads of three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe.
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సాక్ష్యం 3. The Northern boundaries of the Holy land are Lebanon and Syria.
4.Its eastern boundaries are the Jordan River and Jordan proper.
5.It Southern boundary is Egypt.
6.The Holy land has three principal plains going North to South.
The coastal plain, the central plain and the Jordan Valley.
HISTORY
CEMENTRY OF ANCIANT JEWS
1.Palestine was the cross road of international highways which linked the super powers of different areas such as Egypt and Mesopotamia in 4000 B.C. and Greece and Rome from 300 BC to 300 A.D.
2.It was also the land bridge
where great trade took place with
Pompey’s invasion of the
Holy land in 64 BC until the
destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD
by Titus.
3. The land was ruled by the Romans
as a depending of Roman state.
4. During Herod the great region (4
BC to 37 A.D.) the country prospered. He built the temple of Jerusalem, theaters in Caesarea and fortress and places such asMassada, Cyprus and the Herodium.
5.After Herod’s death, Samaria and Judea were put under direct Roman rule and Galilee was given to his son Herod Antipas.
During the time of Jesus birth, Emperor Augustus was reigned and the next Roman
Emperor Tiberius Caesar (14-37 AD) ruled while Jesus was a teenager and an adult. It was
Pontius Pilate the Roman procurator who presided at the trial of Jesus.
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New Testament alone mentions 26 healing ‘miracles, 9 nature miracles with over 32 parables.
LET THE BIBLE BE YOUR GUIDE
Trip to Israel is like leafing through the pages of a living Bible. Illustrations you
GOD GAVE LAW THROUGH MOSES
can’t see anywhere else on earth. You can see your favorite passages come to life. Visit the domed church on the shore of the Sea of
Galilee, traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs.
Travel through Judea to Jericho, the River Jordan, and Bethlehem, birth place of David. You can still visit the grotto where Mary placed the infant Jesus because “there was no room for them at the inn.” From there, a seven-minute drive (an hour by donkey) will bring you to the gates Zion, walk around her, counting her towers of admiring her walls, reviewing her places..
“(Psalms 48:12). Page by page, town by town, you’ll Re-live Biblical epics. And you’ll follow the words of Jesus and His disciples, “through the cities and the villages, teaching and journeying...” (Luke 13:22). Come to Israel, You won’t need to buy a guide book because you’ve already got the best one ever written the Holy Bible.
JESUS
The Northen Regions of the holy land flow with many steams, contain rich vegetation and are filled with a host of hidden, natural treasures. They offer numerous archaeological sites and execiting views.
1.During much of the year they are covered by a carpet of flowers, a rain bow of colors was in full bloom.
2.These regions contain much of the Holy Lands fresh water of the Sea of Galilee the
Basalt of Golan heights and the lofty peak of Mount Hermon raise to the east.
3.The charming land scopes of Galilee extend west to Mediterranean Sea hiding between the mountains are fertile. Hula valley and Jordan River.
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సాక్ష్యం 4. South West of the region is Mount Carmel on the coast, with the city of Haifa.
5. South of the Northern Region raises Mount Gilboa with its special vistas.
6. The Jezreel valley is also remarkable.
The Holy Land tour
1.In the Old Testament those who love Jerusalem are blessed. (Psalm 137: 5, 6) It is only because of King David.
2.All over the world, Jerusalem is famous for its Glory for King David’s regime. More persecutions were done so many returned to this place.
3.In modern town like Tel Aviv above the population is 1, 53,800. The reason for their return to their place is that God had a specific plan of His own.
Brief History of Israel : Many prophecies were declared by many that Jesus Christ would born as a King of Jews. Many were fulfilled. (Luke 21:28, Mathew 24: 22, 33)
The people of Israel were compared to fig trees. In Hosea, it was compared to vineyard.
Joel 1:7, Mark 11:11, Luke 13:6, Isaiah 5:7.
1. Jews were loved by God Before Christ was born 600 prior to that, Ezekiel prophesied in 37:1. Vision of dry bones. So now the Israel people are being benefited by receiving benefits from Government regarding education
MAIN PLACES OF JERUSALEM
and living.
2. In 3000 B.C. many forgot the language of Hebrew. (Jeremiah 31:23). It was national language. After 2000 years were passed Hebrew language was reviewed as national language.
According to Mathew 17:27. Shekel is now being used as currency including.
3.In 1935-1945 German Nazi Dictator Adolph Hitler’s Cruel treatment was remarkable during
Second World War. From the world history 60,00,000 Jews were completely perished only by letting all in a dark place without air provision, poisonous snakes, gases were sent to destroy
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them. According Ezekiel 37:11 they were like dry bones. With in one hour, 10 Lakhs of
Israelites soldiers walked on the roads to fight for their country. In modern Israel cultivation of land by new procedures made a wonderful yield with green beauty allover now.
4.All that happened is only based on the
Biblical truths Ezekiel 37:19, 38:1. “Japan &
Israel will be one “The dead will be raised”.
This is the only blessed hope for all Christians.
In Jesus all of us have a blessed hope of meeting him. Now the country Gogu represents
Russia. All the Jews will come back to Israel.
Proof of God’s prophecy
1)In 1982 Jews population were 24,000 only.
2)In 1914 during First World War, they were 85,000.
3)In 1927, 1, 50,000 Jews living in Palestine.
4)By 1947 Jews increase in number they were 6, 26,000.
సాక్ష్యం 5. The Israel got its independence on May 14, 1948. When we see the promise of God in
Isaiah 43:5, 6. “I will establish and spread your Kingdom was fulfilled as with the help of
British, Germany, Australia and people of Italy helped the Jews to return to their own land.
a)By 1953 the population of Jews increased to 50% as 87% of Eastern nations and Europe and oriental nation helped 10% for their return.
b)From the West people from Libya came back too many people are from Tunis, Algeria and Latin Americans.
c)From North Czechoslovakia Europe, Turkey, and Bulgaria too people came.
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d) From South Yemen from old South Arabia
1, 48,000 Jews, Muslims dominated and humiliated Jews to suffer. Out of 10 members of Jews eight were died without proper shelter
Huge flames spread allover the place.
On second day in old city of Jerusalem the wailing wall many were gathered. In 1897, the hope of the people was strong by Israel that time. Israel Chief came closet the original wall of the temple and said “This is a great day that many did not see.
3.After two days soldiers of Jordon entered in Jordan River, coastal area, who were chased by their enemies. Then the mighty people of
God, Israelites came forward with great courage like those in Joshua time reached the place of the Dead Sea. Then Arabs started cease fire Russians provided three billion worth of weapons and reached Sinai desert area.
After that the blessing of God was visible as they fought and got their place to live. That is independence for Israel.
The reasons that how they got victory in 6 day war. The victory of 6 days war was the victory of god's people who believe in God’s promises.
1.Israelites fought for their own land. They were humiliated by their enemies for 1900 years. They did not have shelter. Now they enjoy the land of milk and honey. As we see the beauty of Israel one cannot describe the green and fertile land.
2.Israel people fought for their victories in their lives. They strongly decided to drive the enemies always at any cost.
3.The strong hand that gave victory for Israel people only gave them that victory for sure.
The British Chief was a native of Zion. He had the great foundation and had great faith in
God. He only taught many techniques in the army lives. His name was Orde Wingale. Then
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with creative skill he did his job. Next, the general of Israel was Moshe Dayan admired the Chief as a great teacher “If 100 people happen to fight with 3 men. Each man will be equal to 50 people. All were reminded about
Gideon from Judges.
THE REASONS FOR THEIR SUCCESS
WAS BASED ON SOME VALUES
1. Israel people pre planned how to attack the enemy in a systematic way.
2. People of Israelis 8% were well trained and separated only to face the trial when needed.
3. Within 21 hours they placed themselves in such a way to capture the citadel, and to make enemies to sink down. God’s hand was with
Israelites. Aluf Shalomeo Gorem the Chief prayed a special prayer after good preparation.
He just followed the principle of Jehoshapathe how he did by encouraging to praise and worship by keeping humble mind, "You are our refuse in times of trouble". They believed all the promises from the Bible (Psalms 20:34, 35: 1, 2, 83: 2; 3, 14 to 16).
According to the generals of Zion, at first Egypt people surrendered to Israelites. Every body feared, and then a person with white dress came close to him. Everybody saw it.
Then, Egyptians ran from that place. All people heard a great sound of bomb blast no body were injured.
Then the soldier became a strong believer gave witness about his faith in God. The treasures of Israel were preserved and saved. Israel city was handed over to only Jews. The
Glory was recovered after 1900 years. Every one got the self confidence. “If anybody can raise a hand against Israelm, then the foot of the enemy will be ready from Israelites to attack back. The wonder of wonders is that only two and a half (2 1/2) million people of Jews attacked the enemies. But the Arabs were 80 million.
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The great promise was fulfilled Mathew 8:23 we will come with you ‘God’s presence will go with you’ wherever you go.
ISRAEL IN THE PAST:
Israel is a promised country where the eye of God is always on them since 2000 BC.
1. At first God called Abraham from Ur. He asked Abraham to depend on Him to follow God.
Genesis 12:1-3.Abraham got promised son Isaac, and from him had Jacob who was father of
12 sons who were non Isralites. God blessed the 12 tribes of Israel saved from poverty Joseph was chosen by God to uplift the lives of his brothers. They stayed for complete 400 years in
Egypt. They were 3 millions.
2.Moses comes next to be remembered for his meekness and to be the leader for Israelites.
3.In 1451 BC Joshua was the leader next to Moses to lead the people to canan. He too faced opposition. During 450 yeas many judges took the responsibility for the people of God,
Israelites. (Acts 13:20). In 1040 B.C. Saul became the first King of Jews. IN 1010 BC,
David defeated Goliath against Philistines.
4.David son Solomon built the temple of God when David arranged everything for his son to take complete responsibility. Solomon’s son Rehabam, time of his reigning in 922 BC, the twelve tribes were divided into ten plus two tribes.
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5.In 722 BC the Assyrians were caught hold of Amorites. The two tribes belonged to southern part and in 600 BC. There were captured by enemies.
a). Three kinds of Jews pilgrimaged from Babylon to Judah. In 536 BC, the first group was taken care by Jerubbabel.
OLD MONASTRERY AT HILL
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b)After 78 years Ezra took the responsibility to build the temple of God.
After 14 years, Nehemiah; started with third batch and he rebuilt the wall “Come, let us rebuild” was the golden slogan. All the above leaders with a burning zeal and love for God did great things for God’s Family we can see 400 silent years and no property was given, they say it. Finally in 33 AD our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ died on the cross.